The 2013 Lovie Smith: Taking A Time Out

As reported this week, former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith plans to sit out the 2013 season after failing to land a head-coaching position with either San Diego, Buffalo or Philadelphia. Or Arizona or Buffalo. Or Kansas City or Jacksonville. Or Cleveland. But he’s not a wallow-on-the-couch type of guy. If we know Lovie, he’ll keep busy, even if he’s getting paid $5 million by the Bears to stay away.

Which gig would best fit Lovie’s sabbatical?

School Bus Driver

Sure, time management isn’t his forte and his kids would be late occasionally, but with his strong defensive instincts, would there be a safer set of school children in America?

Clearly, the end is nearing for Lovie. If Emery was proactive in bolstering the roster in his first offseason, he surely will recognize the glaring need for a new coach who will win the big game and lead a new way.

After eight up and down seasons of his staid sideline demeanor, unbearable post-game press conferences and, yes, a Super Bowl, what do we make of the Lovester? As Lovie himself might say: “Lovie is our coach.”